Despite all the ups, downs, high kicks and controversy, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager, Jerry Jones really did know what he was doing with his brand new stadium.
In fact, you must have been living under a rock for the past year if you didn't catch wind of the 'videogate' scandal during last years football season. If not, the debate was over the so-called "Jerrytron," a $40 million video board which hangs in the middle of the field at Cowboys Stadium. (It's worth noting here that the cost to build Texas Stadium was only $35 million in the early 1970s)
The Mitsubishi Electric screen is a veritable monster, spanning 60 yards down the length of the field at Cowboys Stadium. The debate dragged on. Is the board too low? Is it a distraction to players? Are players punting the ball going to hit it? What about field goals?
The dust got so thick at one point that even the National Football League got involved, but all was solved and the board is staying. So you are probably reading this and saying to yourself, so what's new?
Apparently there could be a similar board in the works. The SportsBusiness Journal reports, the Minnesota Vikings have talked with Dallas-basked HKS, about putting a similar board in the Metrodome when it is rebuilt.
HKS designed the new stadium in Arlington and is working on the Vikings project with general contractor Mortenson.
Right now the budget for the new Metrodome only calls for a traditional end-zone scoreboard, which costs $7.5 million, far below the $40 million which Jones paid.
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And before the Vikings get ahead of themselves, state lawmakers have to approve a finance plan to build the new stadium.
So, Jones should be proud. He may have started a trend here despite the rocky start.
